Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1713707600:20
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_oembed_407bb5d49305ef4035d9d1b81dd95390] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
Uzbekistan outclass Malaysia in U23 Asian Cup opener

        )

    [_oembed_time_407bb5d49305ef4035d9d1b81dd95390] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1713707480
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 190004
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 20
        )

    [onesignal_meta_box_present] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_send_notification] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_modify_title_and_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_heading] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:127:"20-year-old expresses no disappointment but determination to prove himself worthy of national team under head coach Kim Pan-gon";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 601
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_focuskw] => Array
        (
            [0] => Annil Vigneswaran
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_metadesc] => Array
        (
            [0] => National under-23 footballer Annil Vigneswaran pledges to return stronger after being omitted from the Harimau Muda team for the ongoing Under-23 AFC Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_linkdex] => Array
        (
            [0] => 65
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 30
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 286
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:1;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1750771905";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:3:{i:11;i:1;i:13;i:2;i:15;i:1;}}i:2;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:6;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1750771905
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [response_body] => Array
        (
            [0] => {"id":"1342ffb4-8bb7-49c0-bcf4-4d946c6fec48","external_id":"207dbc37-02cc-c512-c3e5-6073b29d4173","warnings":["You must configure iOS notifications in your OneSignal settings if you wish to send messages to iOS users.","You must configure Android notifications in your OneSignal settings if you wish to send messages to Android users."]}
        )

    [status] => Array
        (
            [0] => 200
        )

)
Annil vows strong comeback after U-23 AFC Asian Cup snub | Scoop
Despite his exclusion from the Harimau Muda team, Annil Vigneswaran accepts the coaches' decision and vows to work even harder to achieve his goal of representing Malaysia at the senior national level. – @annil25 Instagram pic, April 21, 2024
Sports

Annil vows strong comeback after U-23 AFC Asian Cup snub

20-year-old expresses no disappointment but determination to prove himself worthy of national team under head coach Kim Pan-gon

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
10:00 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – National under-23 footballer Annil Vigneswaran pledges to return stronger after being omitted from the Harimau Muda team for the ongoing Under-23 AFC Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.

The versatile 20-year-old defender, who has consistently featured for the national under-23 side since 2021, was called up for the team selection process under Juan Torres Garrido from March 14 to April 6.

Speaking to Scoop, Annil said that he is not disappointed with the coaches’ decision and is determined to continue working hard until he earns a spot on the senior national team in the future.

“I love my country so much, and it’s always an honour to represent my country in any tournament. Though I play club football abroad, my loyalty lies with Malaysia, and I will not think twice about joining any of the selection camps.

“I came close to being selected, but as a player, I have no complaints and I completely understand the decision made by the coaches.

“I am going to work ten times harder after this, and my goal is to play for the national team under head coach Kim Pan-gon. I will continue to prove myself on the pitch to achieve my ultimate target.

“During the selection camp, the atmosphere was great, and the coaches helped us a lot to bring out our best. I wish the best for the team, and I’m sure that they will do their best in the Asian Cup,” said Annil when contacted.

Annil, who currently plays for Germany-based SV Waldhof Mannheim, began his youth career with Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands at the age of 10. 

He previously played for another German third-division side, SV Sandhausen, and was also with German clubs SGV Freiberg and Freiburger FC between 2021 and 2022.

Annil was also a member of the national youth team under coach Brad Maloney for the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2021.

Harimau Muda began their Under-23 Asian Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan at the Khalifa International Stadium on April 17.

Yesterday, they were unable to hold their own after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Vietnam in their second Group D match.

Currently sitting at the bottom of Group D, Malaysia will play their final group match against Vietnam on April 23.

Harimau Muda’s best achievement in the U23 Asian Cup was in 2018, when they reached the quarter-finals of the tournament held in China. – April 21, 2024

Topics

 

◉ Popular

From player to mentor: Wee Wern calls time on glittering squash career, takes on coaching challenge

A desire to impart her years of experience to the younger generation has seen former world number five squash player Low Wee Wern make the tough decision to hang up her racquet.

Toxic gas: one Penang factory worker dead, doctors who did CPR also ill

Work safety authority is investigating the use of methyl bromide in fumigation exercise

No forced eviction of Pasir Panjang Ulu farmers, process was legal: Perak MB

Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the process was carried out legally, adding that MB Inc held a series of direct negotiations with the farm operators since 2021, in addition to offering ex-gratia at a reasonable rate. 

◉ Related

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.